St. Mary's – William Russell "Rusty" Goddard, age 41, passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021, in Southeast Georgia Health System Brunswick Campus after suffering for six weeks due to complications of COVID. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. in Limestone Baptist Church in Bleckley County. Burial will be in Powers Family Cemetery in Pulaski County. A Memorial Service will be held at the historic First Presbyterian Church grounds at 6:00 P.M., Friday, September 17, 2021, followed by a celebration of his life and dinner at his home in St. Marys. All services will be officiated by our beloved friend and amazing Pastor Rick Douylliez of the First Presbyterian Church, St. Marys.

Rusty was born June 23, 1980, on his mother's birthday in Hawkinsville, Georgia to William E. "Bill" and Valerie Evans Goddard. Rusty grew up in St. Marys, Georgia but also considered Cochran home. He leaves behind a beloved brother and best friend, Jason Goddard as well as adopted siblings Sam Lee, Robert Lyles and Deanna (Scotty) Sutton, a very special nephew Austin Sutton and niece Mia Guthrie. Rusty was grandson to his late maternal and paternal Grandmas and Papas Hazel and Russell Evans of Cochran and Master Gunnery Sergeant Retired Joseph William "Joe" and Blanche Goddard of Albany, Georgia.

Rusty was very much dedicated to his family leaving Aunts Carol Goddard Woodard of Albany, Martha Goddard of Apopka, Florida, Cindy Evans Felkins, Cochran, Joanne Goddard Pocock and Jean Goddard Martin, Portsmouth, Virginia. Special cousins include Cooper and Tucker Felkins, Matthew Woodard and Jason Klees; though he also had a host of other very special chosen "aunts and uncles" and cousins. Rusty was surrounded by the chosen family of his Point Peter Landing neighborhood family who were a constant in his life to do whatever was needed day to day and always offer their love and support.

Rusty worked as a cook at Cracker Barrel in St. Marys and loved gaming, computer role playing story games and was a dedicated Georgia Bulldawg, Atlanta Braves fan as well as enduring the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. He loved to travel and simply be with his brother Jason who meant the world to Rusty.

Pallbearers include Sam Lee, Del Renfroe, Cal Crooms, Jimmy Vanderburg, David Floyd and John Medlin.

All family and friends are invited and encouraged to come, share a meal and memories immediately following the services at the Evans family home of his late grandparents 990 Georgia Highway 257, Cochran where Rusty had eventually planned to live.

The family wishes to extend a very heartfelt "Thank You" to all those who followed his lonely six week battle with the deadly Covid Virus daily on Facebook, through phone calls and visits to us who waited in vain at home. We also wish to offer our most grateful appreciation to those who cared for Rusty during the horrible struggle. We would also like to strongly encourage everyone who hasn't been vaccinated to go NOW, to at least give yourself a fighting chance against the Covid Virus or perhaps to protect those you love from exposure to a lonely death because you refused to get the vaccination.

The family will greet friends one hour before the service Saturday at Limestone Baptist Church.